Second collection in masses sought for typhoon victims

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle requested all parishes, shrines and chapels under the Archdiocese of Manila to have a second collection in all masses this Sunday for the victims of Typhoon Lando.

His request was expressed in a circular issued by Archdiocese of Manila chancellor Fr. Reginald Malicdem last Oct. 19.

The collected amount would be placed in the archdiocese’s disaster fund and would be handed over to those affected by the typhoon that hit provinces in Luzon.

The collections must be immediately remitted to the archdiocese’s treasury and accounting department.

In the same circular, Malicdem also said that the planned special collection for Prison Awareness Sunday, which is supposed to take place this Sunday, has been moved to Nov. 8.

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), meanwhile, has put up P11-billion emergency loan facility for its members and pensioners devastated by Typhoon Lando.

In a statement, the state-run pension fund said members and pensioners living and working in declared calamity areas in Northern Luzon may start applying for emergency loans.

“The GSIS emergency loan opened on Oct. 23 to members and pensioners in the provinces of Aurora, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan which have been declared as calamity areas by their respective provincial councils,” GSIS president and general manager Robert Vergara said.

Members and pensioners in the provinces of Aurora, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan have until Nov. 22 to apply for emergency loan.

GSIS branch managers in other North Luzon provinces are coordinating with local government units on the issuance of calamity area declarations.

GSIS estimates there are 340,000 active members and 58,000 pensioners located in areas badly hit by the recent typhoon.

The emergency facility includes an increased credit limit of up to P40,000 for borrowers with outstanding loans and up to P20,000 for first-time borrowers.–With Kathleen Martin